How to Keep Valuables Safe During a Move

Your upcoming move provides a fresh start for your family, possibly in a whole new city with a different job and a new school for the kids. While this may excite you, you also know you must transport everything to your new home before you can settle in. If you’re worried about keeping valuables safe during a move, this guide will help you make the proper preparations.

Label fragile boxes: Make sure your movers know which boxes require extra care. Write the word “FRAGILE” on multiple sides of each box to get the message across. Also, label the destination room for faster delivery at the end of a long moving day.

Wrap furniture and other large items: Tape soft padding to all furniture items to protect them—and your walls, for that matter—from dings and scratches. We even recommend wrapping couches and other soft furniture items to keep them clean during the move.

Know what not to pack: Your mover may be willing to transport all your valuables, but you’ll feel better if you keep some items with you. Valuables include jewelry, heirlooms, collectibles, cash, and appraisal documents.

How to Protect Valuables While Moving

The number one way to protect valuables of all shapes and sizes is to hire experienced movers. They’ll know how to ensure your belongings arrive unscathed. Here are some techniques professionals use to protect valuables while moving:

Build custom crates: Georgetown Moving and Storage Company can construct crates to protect valuables that don’t fit in a box. Whether you’re moving a priceless painting, sculpture, chandelier, or fish tank, crating is often the best protective method.

Take inventory: We encourage you to write descriptions and take pictures of all the valuable items you’ll be moving. When the truck reaches your new home, verify that all your belongings are in the same condition you packed them in. Note any damages on the inventory sheet or your final bill.

Insure your belongings: In the rare case that our protective methods aren’t enough, we provide full value insurance so you can repair, replace, or receive reimbursement for damaged items. If certain items aren’t covered, find out ahead of time so you can look into your homeowner’s insurance coverage. This provides the final bit of protection you need for peace of mind on moving day.

Take Inventory of Your Valuables

Make a list and take photos of your valuable possessions. This will help document their original state before your move. It will also assist when making an insurance claim whether against your moving company’s insurance or your homeowner’s insurance.

Don’t Skimp on Boxes

Instead of using discarded boxes from the grocery store or buying boxes from a home improvement store, buy specialty boxes for valuable items. There are boxes available to safely transport large flat-screen televisions and expensive china or stemware. Spending more for the right box is less than the expense of repairing or replacing valuable items.

Discretely Label Boxes

When labeling boxes, do not list what is inside the box. Instead, write the name of the room that box will be going into (e.g., “master bedroom”). If you think you won’t remember what is packed in each box, number each box and keep a list for yourself with what valuables are in each box.

Track Your Belongings

Consider discretely placing a small, inexpensive tracking device in boxes containing valuable items. Make sure to do your homework first on the devices, because some are limited with their ability to track. Some devices will allow you to see where your box ultimately ends up. Others have the technology to triangulate locations through nearby cell towers while your belongings are in route to your new location.

Keep Smaller Valuables with You

There are some items that should not be packed up and sent off in a moving truck. Instead, you should transport these items in your vehicle. Such items include:

Jewelry

Smaller electronics

Important or valuable documents

Photo albums

Computer equipment

Sentimental items

Paintings and artwork

Larger Items Need Special Help

Items such as pianos, chandeliers, or larger pieces of artwork (such as statues) require special preparation for a move. They may require crating and heavy-duty dollies to move them and should not be moved without professional help. Large paintings or photos protected by glass frames should be taped with masking tape in an “X” to prevent shattering before wrapping. Check with your moving company to find out if they offer this specialty service or if they contract this type of work to another company. And again, make sure everything is properly insured.

Choose Georgetown Moving and Storage Company

When you move with us, expect premium protection for high-value items. Once you schedule your move, you have the option to purchase full value protection by filling out a form that identifies any extraordinary valuable items (those exceeding $100 per pound) you’ll be moving. Then, our professional, award-winning team will handle your move with the utmost care to drastically reduce the chance of damage to your valuables and keepsakes.

GET A FREE ESTIMATE

“Thank you for your service. The move went smoothly and your crew members were great - very helpful and professional. I will refer friends to your company in the future!”
JamesMoving from Washington, DC to New York, NY

“My husband and I had an excellent experience with Georgetown Moving. From the first phone call, I felt that we had picked the right mover for us. When moving day came, I truly appreciated that the team came in and shook our hands, assessed and quickly got to…”
ClaireMoving from Alexandria, VA to Durham, NC

“I have to tell you that my experience with your company was superb. Mohammed and his co worker (I am not sure I got his name) were so quick, courteous and professional. Their attention to everything was thorough. I will 100 percent be recommending you all to everyone…”
ClaireMoving from Washington, DC to Washington, DC

“I want to tell you how satisfied I am with Georgetown Movers, especially the extremely professional young men that was assigned to my move. I lived in Washington, DC for 14 years and while there continually had bad experiences with the service industry. You should know that the…”
JonMoving from Washington, DC to Middletown, RI

“We would definitely use Georgetown Movers team again. They were very efficient and helpful. The driver, Ricardo, was fantastic and all the movers were fast, attentive, and worked with very positive and cheerful attitude! Best experience we have had in a long time.”
CherylMoving from Washington, DC to New York, NY

“The team was great. They were considerate and respectful and very thorough. They also seem to have had a good time which is nice to see. I think when a team works well together and enjoy their work it improves productivity and they did a great job.”
MarinaMoving from Washington, DC to Washington, DC

“Dear Georgetown Moving! The move went very well and Antonio and Ricardo and the rest of the crew did an excellent job. Thank you”
AntoniaMoving from Boston, MA to Fairfax, VA

The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It does not constitute professional advice.All information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact us for complete details.